PODCAST

October 27th, 2016

Abraham is known in both the Old and New Testament as a righteous person. The English word “righteous” originates from the Old English word, rihtwis, which meant “right” and “wise.” In Genesis 15, it is clearly Abraham’s faith in God that reckoned, or accounted, him as righteous. God accepted Abraham not because Abraham led a perfect life, but because of his wise responsiveness to God’s promises. Genesis 15:6, “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness,” is quoted three times in the New Testament, demonstrating that salvation by faith was not a new concept. Therefore, we can see that even in the Old Testament, God’s promise of love and grace was not contingent on our moral perfection, but our response to God’s promises.

God’s promises are the same to us as to Abraham. The question is, how will we respond? Will we accept this gift with a grateful heart, or will we try to receive these promises through our own efforts?